lessor
leh-SOR
/ˈles.ɔːr/
A person or organization that grants a lease of property to another; a landlord.
Specifically used in formal legal and financial contexts to denote the legal owner or controller of an asset who grants temporary possession, as opposed to the everyday term 'landlord'.
The story behind the word. Traced back to the Latin laxare, meaning 'to loosen' or 'release'. This passed into Old French as laissier (to let go, leave), which eventually entered Middle English as lesen. The suffix '-or' designates the active agent—the one who does the letting go or granting of the property.
Word relationships
- landlord: 'Landlord' is used primarily in residential renting and casual speech, whereas 'lessor' is strictly legal and applies to both real estate and equipment leasing.
- property owner: An owner might not currently be leasing the property, whereas a 'lessor' is actively party to a lease agreement.
- lessee: The lessee is the tenant who receives the lease and pays rent to the lessor.
Commonly confused with
- lessee: The lessor gives the lease (landlord); the lessee receives the lease (tenant).
Word family
- lease (verb): To grant or obtain temporary use of property in exchange for payment.
- lease (noun): The contract granting temporary use of property.
Collocations
- lessor's consent
- lessor's covenant
- sole discretion of the lessor
- lessor's liability
Example sentences
- "The lessor shall maintain the structural integrity of the outer walls and roof of the building throughout the term of this agreement." A standard commercial lease clause defining the owner's responsibilities.
- "Under the terms of the contract, the lessor was obligated to provide heating, but failed to do so during the coldest weeks of January." A legal dispute over property maintenance.
Memory hook
The lessOR is the OWner. Both have 'O' sounds and represent the party giving out the lease. Lessor ends in -OR, like Owner and Grantor.
When not to use
Avoid using in casual residential contexts where 'landlord' or 'owner' sounds more natural and less stiff.
Fun facts
- In commercial aviation, most airlines do not actually own their planes; they rent them from massive aircraft lessors based in Ireland and China.
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